The US military has begun a third round of strikes against Iran in response to an attack on a civilian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, a Cyprus-flagged container ship, suffered significant engine room damage and a civilian crew member is missing.
Background
The attack on the vessel occurred after Iran launched warning shots at a ship it claimed was using an unauthorized route in the strait. The US has urged mariners to transit on a southern route through Oman’s territorial waters.
The US Central Command said the strikes against Iran are intended to degrade the country’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait. The US has called on Iran to publicly say the strait is open and ships won’t be attacked.
Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to avenge the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the war’s opening strikes. The US has threatened more missile attacks in response to Iranian aggression.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
